The BRICS group of nations, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is set to receive a boost as 19 nations have expressed interest in joining the emerging-markets bloc. Six of these countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Algeria, Egypt, Bahrain, and Iran, have formally asked to join ahead of the annual summit in Cape Town during the first week of June.
Anil Sooklal, South Africa’s ambassador to the BRICS group, has confirmed that discussions will be held during the summit regarding the expansion of the group and the modalities of how this will happen. Sooklal stated that thirteen countries have formally asked to join, while another six have asked informally, with applications to join coming in every day.
Bloomberg has recently reported that the BRICS group is expected to soon surpass the US-led G7 states in economic growth expectations. While the G7 and BRICS nations each contributed equally to global economic growth in 2020, the western-led bloc’s performance has recently declined. By 2028, the G7 is expected to make up just 27.8 percent of the global economy, while BRICS will make up 35 percent.
The BRICS group of nations represents a significant portion of the world’s population, with a combined population of more than three billion people. Their combined economies also contribute significantly to the global economy, with a total GDP of over $20 trillion.
Brazil is the largest economy in South America and the ninth largest in the world, while Russia has the world’s largest reserves of mineral and energy resources, and India is the world’s largest democracy and is expected to be the fastest-growing major economy in the coming years. China is the world’s second-largest economy and is expected to surpass the United States as the largest economy in the world in the coming years, while South Africa is the largest economy on the African continent.
The BRICS nations have been working together to increase their economic and political cooperation, with the aim of challenging the dominance of Western nations in the global economy. They have established a development bank, the New Development Bank, which aims to finance infrastructure and development projects in developing countries, and a contingency reserve arrangement, which provides financial assistance to member countries facing economic difficulties.
The BRICS countries are a diverse group of nations, both geographically and culturally. They share, however, a common ambition to advance their economies, improve the standard of living of their citizens, and increase their influence in global affairs.
The BRICS countries are all members of the G20, which is the world’s leading forum for international economic cooperation. They represent nearly 43% of the world’s population and around 25% of the world’s land area. Their combined GDP accounts for about 30% of the world’s total economic output, and they are projected to continue growing at a steady pace.
Brazil, one of the founding members of BRICS, is the largest economy in Latin America and the seventh largest economy in the world. Its economy is characterized by a diversified industrial base, which includes the production of aircraft, automobiles, and consumer goods. The country is also the world’s leading exporter of coffee, soybeans, and beef. Brazil has a strong agricultural sector and is home to some of the world’s largest mining companies.
Russia, another founding member of BRICS, has the world’s eleventh-largest economy and the second-largest reserves of natural gas and the eighth-largest reserves of oil. The country is rich in natural resources, including timber, coal, and precious metals. Russia has a diversified economy with a strong manufacturing sector, particularly in heavy industry, and is home to some of the world’s largest energy companies.
India, the third founding member of BRICS, is the world’s sixth-largest economy and the fastest-growing large economy. The country has a large and diversified agricultural sector and is a leading exporter of software services, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. India has a growing manufacturing sector, particularly in the automobile industry, and is home to some of the world’s largest information technology companies.
China, the largest economy among the BRICS countries, is the world’s second-largest economy and the world’s largest exporter. The country is a leading manufacturer of consumer goods, electronic equipment, and machinery. China is also home to some of the world’s largest banks and insurance companies. The country’s economic rise has been fueled by its large domestic market and by its export-oriented industries.
South Africa, the newest member of the BRICS group, has the most diversified economy among the member countries. It is home to several leading mining companies and has a significant manufacturing sector. The country is a leading exporter of minerals, particularly gold, platinum, and diamonds. South Africa has a well-developed financial sector and is home to some of the largest banks and insurance companies in Africa.
The BRICS countries have recognized the importance of working together to achieve their common economic goals. They have established the New Development Bank (NDB), which is aimed at financing infrastructure and development projects in the member countries and other emerging economies. The bank has an initial authorized capital of $100 billion, which is divided equally among the member countries.
The BRICS countries have also established the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), which is aimed at providing financial assistance to member countries in times of financial crisis. The CRA has a total authorized capital of $100 billion, with China contributing the largest share.
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